This was an odd one in that it got better and better as I read. The start is slow and you wonder what all the fuss is about ... then the twists happen and it gets much more interesting.

Double Agents Never Lie by Emma Forouhari was unfortunately not my cup of tea.

I was so sad because I really liked the premise and I love good heist stories.
However, I found this one a bit all over the place.
I didn't care for the dialogue, in my opinion it was too strange because I don't know anyone who communicates like that.
It was at times very convoluted, both the language and the story.
I liked main character, she is strong, smart and clearly capable to doing many things. She also has great intentions and is soft hearted.
I enjoyed so much reading about the skills and how she planned the actions and conned the bad guys. That was such a plus and great part of the book.
I felt no chemistry between her and her love interest, it felt almost as a after thought added at some point to cover that base as well.
Sadly, I am sorry to say that I dnf'd this book because try as I might I simply couldn't connect either to the characters nor the story to continue.

Emma Forouhari's Double Agents Never Lie is a thrilling and clever tale of espionage, deception, and unexpected alliances. Forouhari masterfully blends suspense with wit, creating a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story is packed with twists and turns as complex characters navigate a world of secrets, double-crosses, and high-stakes missions. With its sharp dialogue and intriguing plot, Double Agents Never Lie captures the thrill of spy life while exploring themes of trust, loyalty, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. It’s an exhilarating read that will appeal to fans of espionage and adventure.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it’s was a really fun read, especially for the plot that keeps on twisting and for the banter between Blair and Max!
I really loved the dynamics in the friend group and how they worked together.
It was a bit difficult in the first few chapter getting into the book, so maybe it needed a tiny bit more editing, but once the plot really starts it keeps who hooked.
I can’t wait to read a second book!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this e-ARC!!!

I could absolutely see the Ally Carter influences in this book, and I don't think that was a bad thing. This book was like if "I would tell you I love you but then I'd have to kill you" grew up a bit more, combined with "Heist Society". A fun palate cleanser for folks

This book took me by surprise in a good way. I was sceptical going into it but it was worth it. The main leads and the banter was the highlight of the book for me. I was definitely hook. The only downside was ,as a romance girl i wanted a bit more from the lead. Otherwise, the book was everything perfect.

Wanted to love because the synopsis sounded like it'd be great fun - like the agent spy capers popular in the 80s - but this fell short of sizzle and twisty turns until we head towards the end when the author works to reveal all behind the scenes. Even I there's a #2 to this series, I'm unsure if I'd pick it up.

To be honest, this book took me by surprise! I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t a huge fan of Max at first but he grew on me throughout the story. From start to finish, I was completely pulled into this story. I love spy-type stories so this was right up my alley. It was well written with good conflict to keep
reading. I loved the twists and turns. It was all around a super fun read! Huge thanks to The Raspberry Concept Publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book!

I took a punt on requesting this eARC. I wanted something I didn’t usually go for as a palette cleanse and I was really pleased!

Blair is our emotionally repressed, youngest senior agent of the CIA by day; and con-artist/grand larcenist also by day (& night if the job calls for it)

When partnered with eyerollingly ‘hot’ rule-abiding (also youngest senior agent at the CIA?) Max, Blair finds herself trying to pull off the largest con of her life right under his nose (while also fighting her growing attraction for him.)

There’s a lot of flirty banter, tension and a rivals/enemies/lovers vibe to their partnership, that’s sprinkled in amongst what is actually a twisty/turny plot line.

Part thriller, part heist, part romance, part fluff; this was a really enjoyable read. The only thing that would have made me have even more fun with it was if I was reading it on holiday. (even if the constant references to Blair being the other side of 25 felt like a personal attack) I wouldn’t have complained if there was a tiny bit more romance either, and this is coming from a plot first girlie.

If you want a romantic thriller that’s also an easy read, this is fun!

🌸thank you to Netgalley & for this eARC for review!🌸

Set your skepticism aside and just go for the ride. For a debut novel, this book is fun. Good job, Emma.

Blair and Max are so cute together. Their angst dialogue, banter, and almost hatred with undercurrent of romance are all enjoyable

She's an experienced but young CIA agent, working a hustle as Robinhood, stealing assets from the CIA, and donating it to charity. He's a stick in the mud, follow the rules kind of guy. They are stuck together in their latest assignment, and it's not going well. Until it does.

Try it. It is entertaining and worth your time.

#netgalley #doubleagentsneverlie

This was such an interesting read for me. Anything related to spies/agents has always caught my attention. I did dislike the character a bit at the beginning for being cocky but I grew to like and understand her. I felt like Max was such a cutie with being a rule follower and that he definitely needed someone like Blair to help him loosen up. The plot twist were something that I did not see coming. At first, I had been mad with the 1st plot twist and thought that it ruined the story but then when everything was revealed, I instantly loved it again. I really enjoyed reading about the scheming and planning for the groups heights. I’m not gonna lie, there were some moments in this story that kinda felt boring but overall I did enjoy this book a lot.

I recommend for everyone to read this book even if it’s just to try it out. It definitely worth it!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

"Why the fuck are you calling me ma'am like I'm some senile-"
"Does the year you were born with begin with two?"
"No but-"
"Then I'll be calling you ma'am,"

Please, why did this line trigger me so badly 😭😂👵🏼

I believe this is going to be the author's debut book, which I didn't actually realise until after I'd finished it. I saw the arc on netgalley and thought it sounded fun so decided to give it a go.

DANL was giving all the Ocean's vibes, and I was here for it! I love the Ocean's series and how fun it is to see them put together/carry out all the plans and this was very similar.

Blair is a double agent within the CIA, who actually runs cons on the side... The perfect set up. But when she's given a partner on her latest task, she has to work out how to not only pull off the heist she's planning with her team, but also how to avoid getting caught by the partner she's already struggling to get on with.

Her 3 team-mates are definitely fun additions to the book. It was sweet to see how even though Blair thinks she's so cold and would never admit it, they know she loves them, despite their mess-ups.

'Blair: who still has a valid boating license?
Cillian: Nope
Thatcher: Mine is... Revoked. Indefinitely'

I personally would've preferred to have seen more of the romance/spice element to this, (because I'm a ho sksks 😂), but the story definitely works as is... Which sadly merely has little more than a mention of the two main leads getting together 😔😅

This book has forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers and a single bed trope to add to all the mystery and deceptiveness, however. So there's still plenty going on and I enjoyed reading it!

*ARC received for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

The description gave me Ally Carter/Gallagher Girls vibes so I knew I had to read this. For me, the story slowed down near the end, instead of speeding up, and was a bit repetitive. And then the last few chapters went back in time to explain what really happened on certain dates, which, although I had guessed a lot of it, I found confusing. I had to go back and re-read to clarify. Otherwise, this would have been 5 stars. It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, too, so I'm assuming this will be a series? If so, I'm here for it. And dare I say, shades of Ocean's 11? A big compliment - that's one of my all-time favorite movies. Well done on this debut, Ms. Forouhari.

As a STAN of the Gallagher Girl series when I was younger, this book is right up my alley. I was hooked in from the start.

I do love the trope of the choatic, carefree girl and strict rule following boy. I felt like they were able to play off of each other really well throughout the book. You could also tell that the author genuinely really was having fun writing this book. The heist plan and espionage aspects of the plot were so fun and engaging. I never felt bored reading this. It was just an absolute delight the whole way through.

I do think that aspects of the heist plan was a bit hard to follow but we got there in the end. Addiotnally, I feel as though the characters could do with a bit more complexity and just a tad bit more development. There were just some points where the characters felt just a bit flat. But this is just me being picky. However, I will say I did love the Robin Hood aspect of the story with Blair taking from the rich and giving to the poor. Thought that was a cute addition.

All in all I did really enjoy the book. I think that Emma did an incredible job writing just a really fun and light read. It is a perfect summer or beach read. Thank you to Netgalley and Emma for the ARC.

Larger than life Blair Carter, Senior Agent at the CIA usually works on her own. And for good reason, she is actually running her own jobs with a team of hilarious characters. For her next job she is tasked to keep the Department of Larceny's client assets safe until she is set up with Max Yates to be her partner. Now she not only has to swipe the valuable assets but she has to do it while evading her goody two shoes partner- did I mention that he is extremely GOOD looking? When things start to go terribly wrong she has to share a secret with Max, but can she trust him?

**********************************************************************************************************************************

If you are a fan of The Italian Job or Ocean's 11 mixed with a bit of Brooklyn 99 then this is the book for you. Blair is the Robin Hood of the CIA, robbing the CIA's clients blind while donating all of her funds to charities around the world. The banter between Blair and Max is so amazing, they are true enemies at the beginning because as the Senior Agent WHO can you trust?! After a slight blunder on their CIA job, Blair needs to brig Max in on her little secret. Blair's heist crew are hilarious, an orphaned pot head, the socialite and the party boy, they have to do this job because even though they have stolen millions in art and artifacts- they are BROKE.

Full of action, deceit and deception, you are constantly asking yourself WHO the real bad guys are.

Thank you, NetGalley!
Release date: July 18th, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐.75

Reading this book was something I wish I could relive. Blaire is a senior agent, notorious for never being busted and for her cold personality. When she gets her next assignment and finds out she has a partner, Max, things get a little out of hand ;)

WOW. WOW. WOW. This book had me hooked from the beginning! I’ve truly never read a book like this. There were so many plot twists and when everything came together, I was left dumbstruck (especially with that ending?!?!?!?!). Both Blaire and Max are such intricate characters and I really enjoyed it! I could feel their chemistry through my screen and it had me smiling and kicking my feet! Also, let me say, every scenario I could ever want to happen between them, most definitely did happen. I will definitely be reading the next book by Emma Forouhari!

What a fun book!! Complex heist but I was still able to follow along. I really like the way the book is written, where you only have Blair's pov and then are slowly given insights into other aspects. Romance is rather more of a subnote rather than genre for this book.
I have posted review on GR and will post on IG under @kissandletmetellyou by the end of July.
Thank you for letting me read this book! It was a ton of fun.

I started reading this and got to about 50% and unfortunately it wasn’t for me. I found the characters irritating and the plot did not draw me in.
The dialogue did not seem natural and the plot was not gripping. I normally give a book about 30% to get going and I gave this one a lot more- it still didn’t draw me in.
The premise was good- a CIA agent who is also a con woman, stealing from the rich to give to charity. However I found Blair very two dimensional as was Max, the other agent and seeming love interest who was assigned to work with her. At first they don’t get on but gradually there is a mutual attraction which was a rather hackneyed idea.
Despite my own personal opinion being rather negative I’m sure others will appreciate this debut novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝟓⭐️?
* 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐧: The plot’s unexpected developments had me glued to my seat.
* 𝐔𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: Every time I believed I could predict the outcome, reality surprised me.
* 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Blair and Max are dynamic characters with great chemistry. Blair’s depth and her internal battle were especially captivating.
* 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: It was so enthralling that I lose track of time, utterly captured by the anarchy and intrigue of the story.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝:
* 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝: Think Oceans 11 meets The Blacklist. So if you like espionage thrilling, high-stakes, with the barest touch of romance, this is the book for you.
* 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚: The book is flavored with power-hungry authorities, epic disguises, and cross-continental travel, so to speak.
* 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐭: The deft touch of humor amidst high-stake drama is quite refreshing.
* 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: Sharp and twisted, Emma Forouhari’s writing makes it inimitable—once you have begun, it is impossible to put the book down.

DOUBLE AGENTS NEVER LIE is a titillating rollercoaster combining espionage, romance, and humor into one fluidly unpredictable plot with complex characters and some deadly high-stakes drama. Trust me; this is one book that will keep you turning the pages and thus keep you entertained from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

Felt like a 2003 book. Its gripping and I enjoyed reading it, but it feels dated somehow, mostly because the romance and the characters and their relationship is underdeveloped - especially in this time of rom-com renaisance. It lacks richness, depth, sexiness, anticipation.